A second set of plans for the renovations to Piedmont High School’s gymnasium were not ready for presentation to the board, but should be by its May meeting.Superintendent Matt Akin made the announcement to the board of education at its meeting April 8.
The original plans for the renovations brought a low bid of $1.1 million, while between $700,000 and $800,000 was budgeted for the project. The board rejected the bid at its meeting last month after a recommendation from Akin to have the architect re-draw the plans in an attempt to bring in a lower bid.
Akin said at the March meeting although the project came in over budget in the initial bid process, it is not uncommon for that to happen with projects.
Akin expected to meet with the architect about the new plans yesterday.
Piedmont Elementary’s third grade class was recognized by Akin and commended by the board for perfect attendance during the recent Alabama Reading and Math Test week. The state requires at least 95 percent of students be present throughout the testing period. Third grade was the only grade in the system to achieve perfect attendance, Akin said.
Akin announced the Retirees’ Luncheon would be held April 25 at 11:30 a.m. at Francis E. Willard School. Of the 77 invitations sent out, Akin said only 25 have replied. If more retirees are interested in attending, Akin asked they call the superintendent’s office at 447-8831 to reserve a spot.
During the meeting, the board approved a textbook adoption measure for the reading and literature textbooks used in all three schools. Akin told board members that school administrators and the schools’ textbook committee spent a great deal of time researching each possible publisher to choose the best textbook series for Piedmont’s students.
“Reading is where we spend the majority of our professional development,” Akin said. “So when you look at adopting a reading series, especially at an elementary level, it’s a great deal of time and research that goes into it.”
The next board of education meeting is May 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Central Office.
